ypsilanti - The Eastern Echo

4 people stand on a sidewalk in front of a busy road. They hold cardboard signs that encourage onlookers to shop locally.

Ypsilanti community members advocate for local shopping, highlight Small Business Saturday

By Natalie Heckert · Friday, Nov. 28, 2025

In correlation with Small Business Saturday, Ypsilanti community members protest corporate America and encourage people to participate in the mass economic blackout.

What's the Move? Nov. 25 - Dec. 1

By Israel Shriki · Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025

Several off-campus events are scheduled to take place from Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2025, including a free English class, a free Mahjong meeting, a mushroom workshop and a local artisan market.

The audience seating during the City Council meeting is nearly full with community members. The Ypsilanti City Council members sit behind a large shared desk at the back of the room.

Dzanc House operations restored after shutdown notice

By Gray Connor · Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

Local artists show support for Dzanc House at the Ypsilanti City Council meeting amidst potential shutdown.

Storefront window with flyers and paint-splatter decorations. Shelves can be seen through the window.

Local Artist of the Month: Megan Foldenauer boasts tiny portraits and a transformative business

By Carol Detary · Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Megan Foldenauer is a practicing artist, trained anatomical illustrator, and most recently, owner of Ypsi Art and Supply.

Five upcoming holiday markets in Ypsilanti offering handmade, local art

By Madison Cantrell and Hannah Borders · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Five upcoming local holiday markets in the Ypsilanti area featuring handmade art of various mediums.

What’s the Move? Nov. 18-24

By Israel Shriki · Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Several off-campus events are scheduled to take place from Nov. 18-24, 2025, including a free English class, a local theater show, a holiday art fair, and an evening event at a local brewery.

A crew of 6 men in purple vests from SHINE standing outside a building and behind a van they use.

SHINE group forms to clean Ypsilanti, build community

By Quanzelle Wyatt · Friday, Nov. 14, 2025

The YDDA, or Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, and LAITR, or Life After Incarceration: Transition and Reentry, have partnered up in a pilot work program that provides litter clean-up and beautification services in Ypsilanti.

Five people smile and stand next to a sign that says "Art in the Legislature" displayed on an easel.

4 EMU students’ artwork chosen for display in Michigan’s state legislature

By Madison Cantrell and Carol Detary · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Four Eastern Michigan University students had their artwork selected to be displayed in Michigan legislature buildings.

Close-up of a brown oak leaf resting upright in green grass.

Ypsilanti passes Leave the Leaves resolution

By Lauren Holloway · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Ypsilanti is encouraging residents to "leave the leaves" and support local ecosystems and pollinators.

Brevity Shakespeare to open 'Othello' with hopes of representing Ypsilanti community

By Katherine Tatomir · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Brevity Shakespeare and PTD Productions' rendition of “Othello” is opening Nov. 13, 2025, at the Riverside Arts Center, located at 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti.

Three strips of white paper containing SNAP Gap tokens. Each token is in the shape of a circle. Blue letters at the top spell out "Ypsi Market Snap Gap," followed by "$1 Food Only" on the next line. "Farmers Markets" is spelled out on the line underneath, and at the bottom, blue letters spell out "No change given."

Growing Hope urban farm creates SNAP Gap program to fight hunger

By Israel Shriki · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Growing Hope is coming with the SNAP Gap program, following recent reports that people have lost their federal food stamp assistance. The interview is with Claire Austin, Farmers Market Manager for the Ypsi Farmers Market, which is run by Growing Hope.

Close-up of sign outside Riverside Arts Center. The sign reads, "Riverside Off Center, MWCS Traveling Show, Oct. 17 - Nov. 14."

What’s the Move? Nov. 11-17

By Israel Shriki · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Several off-campus events are scheduled to take place from Nov. 11-17, 2025, including live music performances, yoga and dance classes, an art exhibition and a local theater show.

Ypsilanti partners with Rx Kids to provide direct cash support for new parents

By AnnaBelle Favre · Monday, Nov. 10, 2025

Pregnant parents and families will have the opportunity to receive direct cash assistance starting Dec. 1, 2025, as part of a partnership between Rx Kids and the City of Ypsilanti.

Local artist, EMU alumnus Rocco Pisto featured in Michigan Water Color Society exhibition

By Hannah Borders · Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

Local painter and EMU alumnus Rocco Pisto has his watercolor piece "Violet Cityscape" featured at Riverside Arts Center in the Michigan Water Color Society Traveling Exhibition.

Image of a sign that says "SOS Community Services Resource Center" in white and blue.

Michigan SNAP benefits pause to comply with emergency appeal ruling

By Lilly Kujawski and Gray Connor · Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration's emergency appeal to temporarily halt a federal court order for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to be funded in full.

In downtown Ypsilanti, the front entrance of the Ypsilanti Public Library, located on Michigan Avenue, features a glass door and large rectangular windows on both sides.

What’s the Move? Nov. 4-10

By Israel Shriki · Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Several off-campus events are scheduled to take place from Nov. 4-10, including live music, a True Crime Murder Mystery Show dinner in Ypsilanti, and free events in two of the Ypsilanti District Library locations, Michigan Avenue and Whittaker.

SNAP benefits pause amid federal government shutdown, Michigan food pantries offer hope

By Gray Connor · Monday, Nov. 3, 2025

Due to an ongoing federal government shutdown, Michigan residents will be without SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1. Already-strained Ypsilanti food pantries are trying to offer a light in the dark.

Several chairs are sitting behind a brown desk with microphones on it. There is a teal blue wall with a clock. Underneath is white text that says "City of Ypsilanti", then a big Y in an oval, and under that is the text "Pride. Diversity. Heritage."

Ypsilanti seeks renters for open seats on new Tenants' Rights Subcommittee

By Matt Hodges · Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025

Ypsilanti renters are invited to apply for one of three open positions on the city's recently formed Tenants' Rights Subcommittee.

'No Kings' organizers, public officials call for community building amid federal cuts

By Lilly Kujawski · Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

A look into what's next after the Ypsilanti No Kings rally.

A vendor booth with a long table in the middle and a white tablecloth. Various stands surround the table, and a person stands behind it. The table and stands are packed full of jewelry and household items.

Cryptid festival brings monster madness to Ypsilanti

By Gray Connor · Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

On Oct. 24, 2025, Ypsilanti Freighthouse hosted its first cryptid festival for local horror fans and artists. The cryptid festival, however, is not the only Halloween event happening in Ypsilanti this season.